BOOK  >>> LOVE THY STRANGER <<<

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Professor Ehrman’s book LOVE THY STRANGER is a guided tour thru the early centuries of Christian practice.  He argues compellingly that the example which Jesus provided greatly altered the structure of western civilization regarding our social safety net. 
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Christian ethics? Or Christian theology?  Which?  Ethics is about practice. Theology is suggestive of belief: (“Who was that masked man, Jesus of Nazareth?”)  :  What did Jesus teach and illustrate?  OR, Who do you believe Jesus, this Jewish rabbi without a degree from a yeshiva, was?  The difference in framing these two questions is major.  One invites us to imitate a Master; the other sends us down a rabbit hole or causes us to chase our tail.  

If I am arrested and charged with being a Christian, will there be enough evidence to convict me?  Ehrman reminds us that a wealthy man asks Jesus how he might attain immortality.  The reply (see Mark 10:17)— sell everything, giving proceeds to the poor, and come follow me. (We should not despair; more importantly, doubling down by reading this book to gain some insight on praxis!)  Critical thinking, engagement with the Bible texts, and spiritual appetite, are more vital than institutional attendance.  

Ehrman’s command of scripture is inspiring.  (Note: he tells us that he has left “the church”; but is apparently no stranger to “the Kingdom”.)  This is one of the best books I’ve ever read on Christian ethics. 
For those who may not know of it, there was a popular novel about ethics written in 1896 titled IN HIS STEPS: What Would Jesus Do?  Ehrman’s very accessible book is a “sequel” of sorts — a nonfiction historical-version showing us how far we’ve progressed over the centuries since the crucifixion, (and what we are at risk of losing, presently, to the DOGE crowd). Tearing down our social safety net is no answer!